Rays Beat: Davis taking trade rumors in stride

That was Wade Davis who was seen running through Tropicana Field on Friday, giving his legs a workout as he prepares for another season of Tampa Bay Rays baseball despite offseason rumors that pointed to the contrary.

When asked if he was surprised, Davis said, "Not at all, because I know most of that stuff is not always what you think it is, anyway. The majority of it is all rumors. Most of it isn't legit."

Davis spent a good part of his offseason in the Hudson Valley region of New York, where he occasionally checked in on the rumors that had him involved in a number of trade scenarios.

"I took a look at them just to see what's going on, but I don't pay attention to them any more," Davis said. "I've heard everybody's name at least getting tossed around in conversations this year. It doesn't really bother me. I know this is a business and they are something you have to get used to."

Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did a good job of retooling the 2011 American League Wild Card team without having to trade any of his seven starting pitchers. Whether all seven remain with the team on Opening Day depends upon what unfolds during March, either with the Rays or with other teams which might find themselves in need of a major league-ready starter heading into the season.

With rookie Matt Moore looking for a home in the rotation, the possibility of moving a starter (Davis, Jeff Niemann) to another team remains a possibility.

"I don't think the rumors will ever die off," Davis said. "We'll see what happens this spring training. It will be interesting."

Maddon's contract

Expect a midweek announcement on Joe Maddon's contract extension.

The 2011 American League manager of the year is signed through the end of the 2012. While Maddon said he is not worried about beginning the season as a lame-duck manager, he would like to have the luxury – both financially and in the clubhouse – have having an extension.

Tweet-tweet

The list of Rays on Twitter is growing with Sean Rodriguez (@SeanJRodriguez1) giving David Price (@DAVIDprice14) a run as the most prolific tweeters on the team.

Moore is expected to open a twitter account. Here are the Rays who are on twitter:

Elliot Johnson (@ElliotJohnson9), Robinson Chirinos (@robinson28ch), Alex Cobb (@Acobb53), Dane De La Rosa (@daner13), Sam Fuld (@SamFuld5), Brandon Guyer (@BrandonGuyer), Desmond Jennings (@d_jennings8), Matt Joyce (@sweetswingin20), Jose Lobaton (@JoseLobaton31), Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria), Josh Lueke (@Josh_Lueke), Jose Molina (@Joeycatch8), B.J. Upton (@BJUPTON2), Stephen Vogt (@SVogt1229) and Ben Zobrist (@TheZobrists).

Community Fund Grant Program

The Rays Baseball Foundation is accepting applications for its Community Fund Grant Program. Applications are available on the community page at raysbaseball.com.

The Community Fund Grant program provides grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations in the Tampa Bay area that support current youth and/or education programs. Applications must be received by mail no later than March 1, 2012.

Noteworthy

Alex Cobb, who missed the end of the 2011 season after having surgery to remove his right first rib and a blockage in the area, has been on a normal throwing program since Christmas. "I feel stronger than I did this time last year," Cobb said Friday after throwing a 45-pitch bullpen session. … MLB.com Rays beat writer Bill Chastain, who co-authored "September Nights" with James Shields, released his latest book, "Hack's 191" about Hall of Famer Hack Wilson's 1930 season.